From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, October 03, 2004 7:11 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: Fw: October 3rd Greetings

Subject: October 3rd Greetings

 "Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.  Put on  the full armor of God, that you may be able to strand firm against the  schemes of the devil."  Ephesians 6:10-11

 God has provided a spiritual armor that enables the Believer to stand firm  against the onslaught of all the strategies and deceits of the devil.  The Amplified Bible clearly tells us of the battle that is being waged as we  see in Ephesians 6:12:  "For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with  physical opponents], but against the despotisms; against the powers,  against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present  darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly
 (supernatural) sphere."

 This is a spiritual conflict and Scripture gives us some characteristics  involved in the conflict.

 This warfare is an inward battle:
 "But I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the  law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my  members."  Romans 7:23  (Read all of the battle the Apostle Paul is speaking  of in verses 14-25)

 Is it not easy to see why Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 to, "be transformed  by the renewing of your mind..."?

 This warfare calls for spiritual weapons:
 "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful  for the destruction of fortresses."  2 Corinthians 10:4

 In this warfare we have invisible foes, as we have seen above in  Ephesians 6:12:  "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but...against the  spiritual forces of wickedness..."

 Soldiers are enlisted for this warfare:
 As Paul encourages Timothy, so we are encouraged as we see in  1 Timothy 1:18-19:  "...In accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that  by them you may fight the good fight, keep faith and a good conscience,  which some rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith."

 This warfare is a fight of faith:
 Again Paul tells Timothy, and we are included:
 "Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life, to which you were  also called and have confessed the good confession in the in the presence of  many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

  This warfare demands entire concentration:
 Paul encouraging Timothy again in 2 Timothy 2:4,
 "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday  life, so he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier."

 This applies to each of us as well.  As members of the body of Christ, we  take our orders from the Head.  We have the indwelling Holy Spirit who  leads and guides. Earlier I referred to a part of Romans 12:2, but we need  to see the whole verse in relation to 2 Timothy 2:4:  "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing  of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good  and acceptable and perfect."

 Of the soul's enemy, the Apostle Peter warns in 1 Peter 5:8-9,  "Be of a sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls  about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour...But resist him, firm  in your faith..."

 Then we have the Apostle James' admonition:
 "Submit therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw  near to God and He will draw near to you..."  James 4:7-8

 We are not left to our own resources!  God has provided the full armor that  we may stand firm!  Hallelujah!  Praise Almighty God for He is our armor,  our mighty protection!  All honor and glory are His forever!  Amen.